TA-9708 UZB: Preparing Sustainable Energy Investment Projects (52322-002)

The project involved conducting due diligence for the preparation of sustainable energy investment projects, including the construction of a 220 kV Zafarabad substation and 220 kV double-circuit transmission lines from the Syrdarya TPP to the Zafarabad substation in Jizzakh region, as well as the reconstruction of the 500 kV high-voltage Guzar–Rigar transmission line (L-507) within the territory of Uzbekistan.

The technical assistance supported the project executing and implementing agencies in preparing detailed technical specifications and bidding documents and documenting the readiness of the project from the safeguards compliance perspective.

Under the assignment, DEEX facilitated cooperation with local municipalities on environmental issues and conducted an environmental assessment of the project to identify potential impacts and risks to physical, biological and socioeconomic resources, as well as physical cultural resources within the project’s area of impact. DEEX also participated in public consultations.

The work included documenting the environmental assessment and preparing the draft Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) in compliance with the requirements of the Asian Development Bank’s Safeguard Policy Statement (2009) and the environmental legislation of Uzbekistan.

The Environmental Management Plan included proposed mitigation measures, environmental monitoring and reporting requirements, related institutional and organizational arrangements, capacity development and training measures, an implementation schedule, cost estimates and performance indicators. The assignment also included translation of safeguards documents from English into Russian and Uzbek.